Chapter 8: Problem 46
Evaluate the integrals in Exercises \(39-50\). $$\begin{array}{l} \int \frac{1}{\left(x^{1 / 3}-1\right) \sqrt{x}} d x \\ \text { (Hint: Let } \, x=u^{6} \text { .) } \end{array}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The integral evaluates to \( 6x^{1/6} + 3 \ln |x^{1/6}-1| - 3 \ln |x^{1/6}+1| + C \).
Step by step solution
01
Substitution
Using the hint, let \( x = u^6 \). Then we have \( dx = 6u^5 \, du \). Substitute these into the integral.
02
Rewrite the Integral
Substituting \( x = u^6 \) and \( dx = 6u^5 \, du \), the integral becomes: \[\int \frac{1}{(u^2-1)\sqrt{u^6}} 6u^5 \, du \]Simplifying, we know that \( \sqrt{u^6} = u^3 \), leading to: \[6 \int \frac{u^5}{(u^2-1)u^3} \, du = 6 \int \frac{u^2}{u^2-1} \, du\]
03
Simplify the Integral
The integral becomes: \[6 \int \frac{u^2}{u^2-1} \, du = 6 \int \left( 1 + \frac{1}{u^2-1} \right) \, du\]This splits into two simpler integrals: \[6 \left( \int 1 \, du + \int \frac{1}{u^2-1} \, du \right)\]
04
Evaluate the Integral
First integral: \[6 \int 1 \, du = 6u\]Second integral can be rewritten using partial fraction decomposition as: \[\frac{1}{u^2-1} = \frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{1}{u-1} - \frac{1}{u+1} \right)\]This results in: \[6 \int \left( \frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{u-1} - \frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{u+1} \right) du\]
05
Solve Remaining Integrals
Integrate each term:\[6 \int \frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{u-1} \, du = 3 \ln |u-1|\]\[6 \int -\frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{u+1} \, du = -3 \ln |u+1|\]Combine results:\[6u + 3 \ln |u-1| - 3 \ln |u+1| + C\]
06
Back-Substitute for x
Replace \( u \) with \( x^{1/6} \) to return to terms of \( x \):\[6x^{1/6} + 3 \ln |x^{1/6}-1| - 3 \ln |x^{1/6}+1| + C\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a powerful technique in integral calculus that simplifies complex integrals by changing the variable of integration. In this method, we select a new variable, often denoted as \( u \), and express the original variable \( x \) in terms of this new one. This often transforms a difficult integral into one that is easier to handle. The key steps are:
- Choose an appropriate substitution. In our exercise, we let \( x = u^6 \), which helps in simplifying the expression inside the integral.
- Find the differential \( dx \) in terms of \( du \). Here, \( dx = 6u^5 \, du \) to account for the change in variables.
- Substitute \( x \) and \( dx \) in the integral, transforming it into a function of \( u \).
- Simplify the resulting integral, if needed, and perform the integration.
Partial Fraction Decomposition
Partial fraction decomposition is a technique used to break down complex rational expressions into simpler fractions. This makes integration manageable when dealing with rational functions.
- The goal is to express a complicated fraction like \( \frac{1}{u^2-1} \) as a sum of simpler fractions. In our solution, this expression decomposes into \( \frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{1}{u-1} - \frac{1}{u+1} \right) \).
- To perform partial fraction decomposition, identify roots of the denominator and express each term as a fraction with those roots. For \( u^2-1 \), the roots are \( u-1 \) and \( u+1 \).
- The decomposition allows us to integrate each term separately, which is simpler than integrating the initial fraction directly.
Definite Integrals
Definite integrals help compute the area under a curve between specified bounds, providing a concrete numerical value instead of an indefinite form. Although this exercise focuses on solving an indefinite integral, understanding definite integrals is crucial when these equations have limits.
- In a definite integral setting, the expression \( \int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx \) is evaluated from \( x = a \) to \( x = b \). This computes the exact area under the curve of \( f(x) \) from \( a \) to \( b \).
- Transformations of variables, as we've done with substitution, can still apply. It's essential to adjust limits accordingly in definite calculations.
- Simplifying the integrand, possibly through methods like substitution or partial fractions, remains important since it ensures computations are manageable.